“I wanted to host this hearing because I wanted to be a part of a conversation with experts to learn about fusion, and – more importantly – understand how Pennsylvania industries could expand with fusion,” state Rep. Emily Kinkead said. “Fusion has the potential to be a clean, sustainable option more closely aligned with renewable energy that could not only be the future for electrical power but also manufacturing and job creation in PA and the U.S.” Read more
Funding awarded through state Green Light-Go program Read more
AMBRIDGE, July 14 – Nearly $1.4 million awarded to build and modernize Pennsylvania’s registered apprenticeship system will bring greater career opportunities to Beaver County, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding will give local students and job seekers a leg up in securing good-paying jobs by connecting them with trusted work partners. “Students and job seekers who go through pre-apprentice and apprenticeship programs benefit from early exposure to career information, real-life experience with trusted local employers, and a steadier path to family sustaining jobs in key trades,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding is going to expand all of those opportunities right here in Beaver County.” Matzie said the funding includes: $450,000 to KML Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund to expand its Carpenters Apprentice Readiness Program to 100 pre-apprentices. $400,000 to the Pittsburgh A. Philip Randolph Institute Education Fund for the Breaking the Chains of Poverty program, which trains minorities and women for apprenticeships and entry-level jobs in the construction, manufacturing, energy and related industries. The fund plans to train a minimum of 64 students during the grant period and place a minimum of 48. $324,500 to Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania Inc. for a Careers in Skilled Read more
HARRISBURG, July 8 -- State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, issued the following statement after casting a “yes” vote for the state budget bill: “Budgets are never easy. We live in a big Commonwealth with many diverse needs. Finding common ground is often difficult. But there were numerous positives, especially to Beaver County, that made it easy to support. “Substantial increases for schools, libraries and community colleges stand out, along with fulfilling our commitments to our state and state-related universities. “Two important areas of particular concern – school safety and mental health awareness/treatment – received large increases, which should help make our schools and communities a bit safer. “Further, my legislation requiring the full use of LIHEAP funding was passed as part of the overall budget package, which will authorize the release of tens of millions of additional dollars to help people pay their utility bills this winter. “At the end of the day, this budget makes a substantial investment in our children and workforce, helps struggling families and funds the core functions of state government, all without raising a tax or fee. For me, that’s always a win, and an easy ‘yes’ vote.” The bill has passed the General Assembly and is now headed for the governor’s desk. Read more
Rather than vote, Republican use procedure to delay action on gun bills Read more
Democratic lawmakers file petitions to force votes on gun bills despite entrenched Republican obstructionism Read more
Vows to continue to fight for abortion access in PA Read more
State Rep. Aerion Abney, D-Allegheny, took office at the state Capitol today to begin his first term representing the 19th Legislative District. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 7 – Governor Tom Wolf today called on lawmakers to support legislation drafted by state Reps. Rob Matzie and Kevin Boyle that would invest $2 million to help Ukrainian refugees arriving in Pennsylvania. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the soon-to-be-introduced legislation would allow the commonwealth to fast-track aid to thousands needing it immediately. “America defends freedom. We have always welcomed those fleeing danger and oppression,” Matzie said. “Pennsylvania has the second-largest population of people with Ukrainian ancestry in the U.S. My district alone has three communities – Ambridge, Baden and Harmony – in the top 20% of folks whose families originally came from Ukraine. We have several Ukrainian churches. This is not some crisis affecting strangers on the nightly news. These are our neighbors’ families. This is local. This is real. This is touching our communities. “The $2 million will get immediate aid flowing to these displaced families. We will be able to help them with housing, food, and clothing, and work with relief organizations to set up longer-term support.” Pennsylvania Democratic House Finance Committee Chair Kevin Boyle said, “Many thanks to my colleague Representative Matzie for helping put this legislation together; I’ll be advocating that it’s heard in committee, but it’s ultimately up to the majority at this point how quickly we can get Read more
Kinkead specified that the new legislation would designate the portion of U.S. Route 19 between Ivory Avenue and Cemetery Lane in Ross Township, the area where Moses lost his life, as the Chief Vernon Moses Memorial Highway. Read more
Funding can be used for equipment, training, other expenses Read more
AMBRIDGE, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Rob Matzie is urging homeowners who are struggling with mortgage payments to see if they qualify for assistance under a new state program. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, which opened for applications this week, is designed to help homeowners facing unforeseen financial hardships because of the pandemic. “Housing expenses take the largest bite out of a family’s budget, and for many homeowners still feeling the effects of the pandemic, meeting a monthly mortgage payment may be much more difficult than it used to be,” Matzie said. “I urge anyone who is struggling with those payments to see if they qualify for the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, which can help prevent delinquency, default or foreclosure.” Matzie said to that to qualify, a homeowner must: own and occupy the Pennsylvania property as their primary home. have experienced financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic after Jan. 21, 2020 (including a hardship that began before that date and continued afterward). have a household income equal to or less than 150% of area median income ($89,050 for a family of one, $101,800 for a family of two, and $127,200 for a family of four). have a first mortgage that is a conforming loan and meets the federal Read more
here Read more
Grants will help fund library renovations, blight removal, flood control among other projects Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 21 – Public schools in Beaver County’s Aliquippa and Hopewell Area school districts and Allegheny County’s Quaker Valley School District will enjoy new safety resources thanks to nearly $104,300 in funding, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the funding is part of the 2021-22 Safe Schools Targeted Grants program administered by the state Department of Education. “The grant funding announced today will help ensure our district schools have the resources they need to keep students and staff safe and to give them the peace of mind they need for a productive, worry-free educational environment,” Matzie said. The funding includes a $19,730 program grant to the Aliquippa School District, a $24,568 equipment grant to Quaker Valley School District, and $60,000 grant to the Hopewell Area School District to continue a school resource officer position. The grants are part of a package of $8 million in competitive grants awarded statewide. More information on the specific awardees and amounts is available here . Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 13 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, is reminding residents about two recent programs that can provide eligible households assistance with water and broadband services. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, said the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program can assist households in danger of losing water service. “For residents facing a risk of having their water services terminated, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program can provide crisis grants – which do not need to be repaid – directly to the service provider,” Matzie said. “Eligible households can receive up to two $2,500 grants – one for water service and one for wastewater service. I urge anyone with past-due water bills who may be facing a shutoff threat to apply.” Matzie said a second program – the Affordable Connectivity Program – can help low-income households that are having difficulty paying for Internet service. “The Affordable Connectivity Program can help eligible households stay connected by providing monthly discounts of up to $30 per month on broadband service,” Matzie said. “With so many important life activities depending on a reliable connection, this is a lifeline no family should have to lose, especially when help is available.” Matzie said households may be able to qualify for several Read more
On Jan. 4 the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association released its list of football classifications for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. Using total male enrollment numbers for grades 9 through 11, the PIAA separates football programs into six classifications, with 6A being the largest and 1A being the smallest. The range for 5A is 383 to 557. Aliquippa currently has 118 boys enrolled yet was classified as 5A. Yes, you read that right. How is that possible? The answer is something called the PIAA competitive balance rule. Ironic, given that the way it is being applied to Aliquippa is anything but balanced. I don’t need to recap the success and tradition of Aliquippa football to anyone even remotely aware of sports in Western PA. Aliquippa football has always voluntarily played a level or two above their designated classification for years. They have embraced the challenge and competition that goes with playing bigger schools with larger enrollment and more resources. Which brings us back to the competitive balance rule. Originally instituted to prevent open transfer recruiting by private high school sports factories, the competitive balance rule uses a program’s number of transfers combined with “success points” to determine if that program should be automatically elevated a classification level. But this rule has a fundamental flaw Read more
Funding to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 9 – The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has been awarded more than $1.24 million for infrastructure upgrades to help it serve more of the community, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant – awarded under the COVID-19 Food Bank Cold Storage Infrastructure Program – will allow the food bank to purchase equipment to expand food storage and delivery capacity. “Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and their partners in Beaver and Allegheny counties have always been an important resource for families facing food insecurity,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding is going to expand the food bank’s capacity to store and deliver food so that it can reach more households in need.” The COVID-19 Food Bank Cold Storage Infrastructure Program allows Pennsylvania food banks to purchase, expand, or upgrade cold storage facilities to ensure that they can deliver fresh food to struggling families. Eligible purchases include refrigerators, coolers, freezers, refrigerator trailers and cargo vans, building expansions, and more. The grants are part of a package of $11.4 million in funding to food banks statewide. More information on the grants is available here. Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 8 – The Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation is receiving $4,000 in state funding, and history centers and museums in Allegheny County were awarded more than $274,000, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie, who serves on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, voted today to approve the grants, which consist of nearly $2 million in funding to 154 museums and county historical societies statewide under the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program and additional funding of $175,000 to 34 organizations statewide under the Historical and Archival Records Care Grant Program. “I was excited to join the board in approving this funding for the organizations and museums that play such a vital role in keeping our history alive,” Matzie said. “Here at home, new funding to the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation will support staff in their efforts to collect and preserve area landmarks, documents and other artifacts and showcase them in a way that engages the public, stimulates young minds, and keeps the story of our past alive for future generations.” Matzie said regional funding under the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program includes: Beaver County Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation - $4,000 Read more
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